The Antyodaya Mela organised under the Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana (CM-APUY) at IGN College, Ladwa, witnessed an encouraging response on Sunday, with 1,183 citizens participating and hundreds applying for government welfare schemes aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting self-reliance.

Sharing details of the event, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Anubhav Mehta said the mela was organised as per the directions of the Haryana Government with the objective of connecting economically weaker families with various welfare initiatives. He said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to empowering vulnerable households through employment opportunities, financial assistance, skill development and entrepreneurship support.

“The primary objective of the Antyodaya Mela is to ensure that economically weaker families become self-reliant and financially stronger by providing them easy access to government welfare schemes under one roof,” Mehta said.

According to the SDM, 1,183 visitors attended the mela and received detailed information about 47 welfare schemes being implemented by 19 different government departments. Out of those who visited, 623 eligible beneficiaries submitted applications to avail themselves of benefits under various government programmes.

The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department recorded the highest response during the mela, receiving 421 applications, indicating strong interest among rural families in livestock-based livelihood opportunities. Officials said the overwhelming response reflected the growing awareness among beneficiaries about income-generating schemes supported by the government.

Several beneficiaries also received on-the-spot approval letters, including under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme and other welfare programmes, allowing eligible applicants to begin availing benefits without unnecessary delays.

SDM Mehta said special efforts were made to ensure maximum participation from deserving families. Households with an annual income below ₹1 lakh were identified and invited personally through phone calls, enabling eligible beneficiaries to participate in the outreach programme.

To make the process smooth and citizen-friendly, the district administration established dedicated help desks at the venue. Beneficiaries were guided through every stage of the process, from registration to documentation and scheme selection.

A specially constituted counselling team assessed the needs, interests and eligibility of each visitor before directing them to the appropriate departmental counters. Officials also assisted applicants in completing documentation and resolving procedural issues on the spot to ensure that no deserving beneficiary was deprived of government assistance due to technical or administrative hurdles.

“The administration’s focus was not only on providing information but also on ensuring that eligible families could complete the application process efficiently and receive timely assistance,” Mehta added.

The Antyodaya Mela featured stalls established by 19 government departments and agencies, offering information and services related to employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, social welfare and livelihood generation.

Participating departments included the Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, Haryana Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections Welfare Corporation, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation, Haryana Women Development Corporation, Haryana State Child Welfare Council, Haryana Skill Development Corporation, Employment Department, Directorate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Limited, Horticulture Department, Fisheries Department, Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission, Rural Development Department, Haryana Red Cross Society, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Urban Local Bodies Department, Development and Panchayats Department, and the Department of Industries and Commerce.

Officials from each department interacted directly with beneficiaries, explained eligibility criteria and guided them on available financial assistance, subsidies, training programmes and self-employment opportunities.

The successful organisation of the Antyodaya Mela highlighted the Haryana Government’s continued emphasis on last-mile delivery of public services, ensuring that welfare benefits reach the poorest and most deserving families through a transparent, integrated and citizen-centric approach.

POD/DESK